Virgin unveils its future cross-Channel train as it gears up to take on Eurostar

Flash interiors, fancy food and maybe even a bar: Virgin has unveiled a mock-up of its future cross-Channel train, with a pledge to create “something genuinely new”.

The group is planning to launch rail services from London to the continent in 2030, with Eurostar facing competition for the first time since the opening of the Channel tunnel.

Virgin has ordered 12 trains from the manufacturer Alstom, and will hope to outshine Eurostar on design and customer experience as it fits them out.

While Virgin’s last stab at reimagining UK train travel may have peaked with the talking toilet seat on its intercity services in 2013, it has said the future trains will be inspired from its airline, cruise and hotel arms.

Although details are being kept firmly under wraps, it said it would draw on Virgin Atlantic’s airport lounges, or Clubhouses, for “pre-departure and onboard social spaces” with “more flexibility to work, relax or socialise in style”. Food will be influenced by its cruise line menu and the design by its Virgin Hotels brand.

Josh Bayliss, the chief executive of Virgin Group, said: “Virgin has a proud history in UK rail. With our latest venture we are drawing on more than four decades of experience across travel and hospitality to create something genuinely new.

“We’re confident that more journeys between the UK and Europe will be made by train. We’re adding capacity for millions more international rail journeys each year, growing the market as a whole. We’re looking forward to seeing our distinctive red and black trains travelling across Europe.”

Virgin will also look to connect its rail and airline networks, potentially bringing passengers from France for Virgin Atlantic flights.

The Office of Rail and Road on Thursday published an agreement with Eurostar for Virgin to maintain its trains at the Temple Mills international depot in east London, with track access in the UK confirmed until at least 2040.

Italy’s state-owned Trenitalia is also expected to launch cross-Channel high-speed services. It already runs international trains as far as Paris and recently announced its own €2bn order for 19 new trains from Hitachi, some of which are expected to be based in France and run through the tunnel to London.